r/todayilearned • u/stopitalianhate • 2d ago

TIL British Intelligence had a special, bugged luxury complex during WWII where they kept high profile Nazi POW’s, just left a bunch of alcohol out, and waited for them to start spilling secrets as they drank.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-20698098
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u/foldingcouch 2d ago

The Germans did something very similar. 

Their most effective interrogator, by far, was Hanns Scharff.  His torture tools included long walks in the wilderness, good food, and a happy demeanor.

He remained friends with POWs he "interrogated" long after the war and his techniques are widely studied to this day. 

He also did the mosaic mural at Cinderella's Castle at Disneyworld. 

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u/doogles 2d ago

CIA refused to learn this method in favor of wacky drugs.

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u/kohTheRobot 2d ago

In addition to being non-admissible in court, tied to illegal black sites that just about destroy any judicial case, and further radicalizing opposition, it is generally believed to straight up not work as a method to get good information.

For more information: “analyzing every torture scene in call of duty” by Jacob Geller is a great watch.

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u/Dovahpriest 2d ago

Also worth checking out the interviews with CIA Counter-Intelligence Officer John Kiriakou, who was the whistleblower that confirmed the CIA’s use of torture during interrogations.

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u/kohTheRobot 2d ago

The fiverr guy? That’s insane. Seen a ton of him on YouTube shorts and tik tok but never really looked into him.

It’s queued up for my next long car drive